I have been unable to watch the last several games since I am traveling in New Zealand but I have read the box scores and game logs. But more importantly I am still tracking my DPPI. It provides a perspective that is a little more rational and objective and the story it tellls is mostly positive. First of all, there is the consistency factor. This is an interesting story. KU is basically and generally very consistent with the exception of the Iowa St and the West Virginia game. Now there is the potential that this team is going to melt on the road because both of those are road games. And sure, we have had trouble closing other games like Texas and Baylor. But overall, we have done what it takes to win in most cases and overall we gave played (over entire games) at a very consistent level. And that level is good enough to make us the odds on favorite to win the Big 12. It is far from a sure thing but when you filter in the general consistency it is somewhat encouraging. Now if we go on the road again in conference play and play well below our projection, I may start getting a little more worried. Yes, we have played sloppy and have holes all over the place and have freshmanitis and other foibles, but the net result is a pretty consistent level of performance. We are 5-2 which is, amazingly, exactly where the DPPI predicted we would be. Texas Tech has played way below expectation in conference. Now the concern is that Kansas Sta. Has played very much above expectation and Baylor is even a notch above that. But we have been spot on. The problem is, while we have been consistent, it is consistent at a level where we do not dominate and look vulnerable. And then we have laid a major egg in 2 of 3 road games. That is a bit of a concern but not yet panic mode. This may be the year that 12-6 wins the Big 12. We are a flawed team but we are also a team with talent. But the total product one that at this point appears to be at the head of a flawed pack of teams.
